The Gist
State Senator, 11th District
Photo of Bo Watson
Bo WatsonOfficial portrait — Tennessee General Assembly

Bo Watson

Candidate for State Senator, 11th District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State senator; physical therapist
Lives in
Chattanooga
Campaign website
bofortn.com

Chair of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, representing District 11 since 2007 (105th-114th General Assemblies) after one term in the House. A physical therapist at Parkridge Medical Center.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — Tennessee General Assembly

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Sponsored law requiring notice to local governments on PILOT deals.In office

    Prime sponsor of SB1398 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted; took effect April 27, 2026. PILOT agreements made without the required written notice to local taxing jurisdictions are void.

    Legislation sponsored by Senator Bo Watson, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: SB1398 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “limits the authority of a special purpose corporation to negotiate and enter into PILOT agreements with the corporation's lessees”
    Report

Public safety

  • Sponsored law allowing emergency care and transport for police K-9s.In office

    Prime sponsor of SB2069 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted; took effect April 16, 2026.

    Legislation sponsored by Senator Bo Watson, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: SB2069 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “enacts the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act."”
    Report

Education

  • Supported the TISA student-based school funding formula.

    Delivering for District 11 - Senator Bo Watson

    Campaign website · Bo for Tennessee · bofortn.com

    “Bo played a key leadership role in passing TISA, increasing state investment in public education”
    Report

Roads & infrastructure

  • Secured state funding to rebuild the I-24/I-75 interchange.

    His campaign says he helped secure the funding.

    Delivering for District 11 - Senator Bo Watson

    Campaign website · Bo for Tennessee · bofortn.com

    “Bo helped secure funding to rebuild the interchange, improving safety, reducing traffic delays”
    Report

Environment & parks

Health & human services

  • Sponsored limits on step therapy for cancer drug coverage.In office

    Prime sponsor of SB2081 in the 114th General Assembly (2025-2026). Enacted (Public Chapter 995). Health plans may not require patients diagnosed with any cancer to try other drugs first before covering an approved prescription drug.

    Legislation sponsored by Senator Bo Watson, 114th General Assembly

    Government record · Tennessee General Assembly · Bills Sponsored: SB2081 · wapp.capitol.tn.gov

    “expands the prohibition, from stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer or metastatic blood cancer to any cancer”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Bo Watson on them.

  • Courts & justiceNo documented position found.

All sources (6)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.